Low-Level Soldiers Took the Rap at Abu Ghraib, Perhaps as It Should Be

On the one hand, it would be a mistake to go along with the “half a dozen bad
apples” theory of what happened in Abu Ghraib (er, I mean
Camp Redemption).
Clearly the problem was not just caused by a small handful of people going
savage, and the solution to the problem won’t be simply to isolate and
denounce those people. On the other hand, if we pursue this line of thought
too recklessly, we can find ourselves propping up the “I was only following
orders” excuse.

Brutal interrogation techniques by
U.S. military
personnel are being investigated in connection with the deaths of at least
five Iraqi prisoners in war-zone detention camps, Pentagon documents obtained
by The Denver Post show.

Another Iraqi military officer, records show, was asphyxiated after being
gagged, his hands tied to the top of his cell door. Another detainee died
“while undergoing stress technique interrogation,” involving smothering and
“chest compressions,” according to the documents.…

In June, at a “classified interrogation
facility” in Baghdad, an Iraqi detainee was found dead after being restrained
in a chair for questioning. “While in custody the detainee was subjected to
both physical and psychological stress,” the report shows. An autopsy
determined that he died of a “hard, fast blow” to the head. The investigation
continues. No disciplinary action was noted.

On Nov. 4, an Iraqi died at Abu Ghraib during an interview by special
forces and Navy SEAL soldiers. “An autopsy revealed the cause of death was
blunt force trauma as complicated by compromised respiration.” The report
notes that Navy investigators concluded Navy personnel did not commit a crime
leading to the detainee’s death. But the investigation, including by
CIA
officials, is still ongoing. No disciplinary action was noted.

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